ON FEB. 2, 2023 the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association celebrated the Annual Winter Reception which included the 2022 Dee Sarelas Service Award Ceremony.
This award was established in 2010 to recognize the contributions of an individual or organization to the development of internationalism and its impact within the Fulbright mission.
This year’s awardee was Eleftheria Lialios, an educator and photographer who was awarded a Fulbright award to Greece in 1986.
A retired Professor of Arts, photographer, filmmaker and writer, Eleftheria Lialios, is the President and Founder of 1st Community Darkroom in Chicago. She believes that true internationalism results from the common base and belief that all humans desire knowledge, a way to live peacefully, in safe and decent living conditions.
Before retiring from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Lialios provided international opportunities to students and faculty by bringing them along to see her exhibits, lectures and film presentations in Paris, and Berlin.
In her words, “at 70, experience has taught me that our potential does not have time frames, age frames, or monetary frames. I am able to give to my students the experience and knowledge of a lifetime, giving them a much-needed clarity and effort to create art out of their own experience, and willing to give it in a constantly changing and what may seem confusing world.”
In this opportunity, the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association recognized Gary Auerbach for his sustained support to our organization over the years. Mr. Auerbach is married to our long-time board member Dr. Marilyn Susman who was part of the team who initiated the Chicago Chapter over 25 years ago.
This holiday event took place at the Sky Lounge of the 727 West Madison Street building in downtown Chicago, overlooking the magnificent downtown skyline.
FULBRIGHT CHICAGO 